Addressing the controversy after the match, Jodar was emphatic in rejecting suggestions that he had pushed the ball girl

French Open debutant Rafael Jodar found himself at the centre of an unexpected controversy after a video from his third-round match at Roland Garros sparked claims on social media that he had shoved a ball girl. However, the Spanish teenager strongly denied the accusation, insisting that the incident had been misunderstood.

The moment occurred during a break in Jodar’s five-set victory over American Alex Michelsen. As he made his way toward his player box after throwing a water bottle aside, a ball girl was in front of him.…